Psalm 23_1-6 A Day With The Shepherd - Part 2

Psalm 23:1-6

A DAY WITH WITH THE SHEPHERD

Part 2

Intro: Earlier today we considered this Psalm from the perspective of the sheep. The Witness Of The Sheep is summed up in verse 1, where David writes, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”.

Then, in vivid, powerful language, David recounts the wonderful blessings the Lord lavishes on His sheep. This Psalm has been an encouragement to the people of God for thousands of years. It will continue to be until the Lord comes for us to call us home.

In this message I don’t to focus on the what the sheep thinks about the Shepherd. I would like to focus our attention on the One identified as the “LORD” in verse 1.

The word “LORD” translates the Hebrew name we know as “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”.

In the Old Testament it appears 5321 times.

It is the personal name of the God of Israel.

It reminds us that He is the “I AM”.

It reminds us that He is “the self-existent One”.

It reminds us that He is the God of creation, revelation, and salvation.

It reminds us that He is the God Who makes and keeps covenant with His people.

It reminds us that He is the great promise making, promise keeping God.

It reminds us that He is the Lord of all, and is Lord over all.

Throughout the Old Testament you find the name “Jehovah” coupled with other words on many occasions. These names are called the “compound names” of God. There are sixteen of those compound names used in the Old Testament. Nine are illustrated in this Psalm. One of those compound names is hinted at in verse 1.

The phrase “the LORD is my shepherd” gives us that name. The word “LORD” is, as I have already said, is the word “Jehovah”. The word “shepherd” is the word “roi”. Thus, you have the name “Jehovah-Roi”, or “the LORD our Shepherd”.

As our shepherd the Lord sea to all the needs of His sheep. He loves us. He feeds us. He guides us. He protects us. He walks with us. He is all we need, all the time. This Psalm has a lot to teach us about the Heavenly Shepherd.

In fact, the Lord has woven Himself into every verse of the of this sacred, blessed text. The Lord has intertwined His compound names into every verse and image in this passage. I want to point out those features of our Shepherd that should cause us to worship Him and appreciate Him more than ever.

As we continue to spend A Day With The Shepherd, let’s take some time to talk about The Work Of The Shepherd. There are some insights into His work and character that we do not want to miss.

II. THE WORK OF THE SHEPHERD

This text tells us Who He is and what He does for His sheep. I would remind you of what I tried to say earlier today. There are only two ways a sheep could become a part of a shepherd’s sheepfold.

One way was for the shepherd to purchase the sheep.

The other way was for the sheep to be born into the flock.

In the case of the Lord’s sheep, both scenarios are accurate.

He purchased us when He died for our sins on the cross.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18–19 KJV)

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9–10 KJV)

We were born into His flock when He convicted us of our sins, drew us unto Himself, and saved us by His grace.

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23 KJV)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 KJV)

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7 KJV)

Once you are brought into the Lord’s flock, you can become intimately acquainted with Him. He will make Himself known to you in ways you could never have imagined. One of the ways He does this is through His Word.

Passages like Psalm 23 help us to come to know the Shepherd better than we could any other way. So, let’s walk together through these verses and see how our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, has woven His name, His personality, and His character through every verse of this precious Psalm.

A. V. 2 HE SUPPLIES HIS SHEEP - Verse 2 say, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”. The shepherd leads his sheep to places where they can feed. Shepherds tell us that sheep will not lie down until they are fully satisfied. Thus, the image of sheep lying in green fields in the image of sheep that have eaten well and are full.

Remember, David is talking about a spiritual Shepherd. He is talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. This identifies our Shepherd as “Jehovah-Jireh.” This name means “the Lord will provide, or the Lord will see to it”.

This title first appears in Genesis 22:14. Abraham had taken Isaac to Mt. Moriah to offer him as a burnt offering at the Lord’s command. On that mountain, the Lord intervened, spared Isaac, and gave Abraham a ram to offering Isaac’s place. When the Lord provided that ram, Abraham named the place “Jehovah-jireh” to commemorate the Lord’s gracious provision.

Our Shepherd all provides for us. He has committed Himself to the perfect and absolute care of His sheep. Whether the need is material or spiritual, the “Lord will see to it”! That is His promise to His sheep. Ill. Matthew 6:25-33; Philippians 4:19

The phrase “He leadeth me beside the still waters” is an image of peace. The shepherd, knowing the sheep are unable to swim, and are afraid of moving water, leads them to places where the tranquil pools that offer them the opportunity to drink without fear of falling into a rushing stream.

I’ve read that sheep won’t drink unless they can see their reflection in the surface of the water. The shepherd knows his sheep and he leads them to places of peace and safety.

This image reveals our Shepherd as “Jehovah-Shalom”, or “The Lord Our Peace”. This title appears in Judges 6:24. Gideon experienced the peace of God in a time of great fear and he called the name of the place by the name of “Jehovah-Shalom”.

Our Shepherd knows our temperament. He knows that we need times of tranquility that we might rest from the cares and problems of life. This, He leads us to places where we can rest and be at peace.

He did this spiritually when He died for us on the cross. When He shed His blood for His sheep, He secured for us eternal peace with God through His blood. Prior to His death, we were the enemies of God, Romans 8:7. Now, through His blood we have peace with God.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1 KJV)

We are no longer the enemies of God, living under the threat of His judgment and eternal condemnation. The death of Christ on the cross has broken down every barrier and brought us into the family of God.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 KJV)

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Colossians 1:12–14 KJV)

He also does this when He calms our spirits and gives us peace in times of turmoil. Has He ever done that for you? If you are saved He has! That is His promise to His people.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 KJV)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 KJV)

B. V. 3a HE SAVES HIS SHEEP - The psalmist says that the shepherd “restoreth my soul”. The word “restoreth” means “to bring back; to revive.” It speaks of a sheep that is weary, nearly gone, until it receives the healing ministry of the shepherd and is “restored, revived, and brought back” from the brink of death.

This phrase identifies the Lord as “Jehovah-Rapheka”, or as “The Lord Our Healer.” This name is used in Exodus 15:26. In that passage, the Lord gave Israel a very specific promise. He said that if they would keep His commandments, He would keep them safe from the diseases that had infected the people of Egypt. God closes that verse by saying that He is “the LORD that health thee”.

Our Shepherd “restores” the souls of all those who come to Him for salvation. When He calls us to Him, we are “dead in trespasses and sins”, Ephesians 2:1. We are lost, undone, sold under sin, and headed to Hell. We prove just how lost we are every day we live by the wicked things we do, Ephesians 2:2-3.

When welcome to Jesus, He makes us alive. He raises us from spiritual death and imparts His life to us. After telling us how dead we are, He follows that by declaring that Jesus raises the dead to new spiritual life.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:4–6 KJV)

If the Lord has saved you, He has removed the effects of sin and He has raised you from spiritual death. He has given you new life in the the Spirit. Hallelujah!

C. V. 3b HE SUPERVISES HIS SHEEP - David tells us that “He leadeth us in paths of righteousness for His names sake.” This elevates the Psalm immediately. No longer is the writer talking about mere sheep and shepherds. Now, he is talking about the Lord Himself.

As I mentioned earlier, the word “paths” means “circuits, or orbits”. It reminds us that the shepherd has a “circuit” or “path” that moves the sheep from the green pastures to the still waters, and that leads them over the mountains and through the valleys.

Just as a shepherd leads his sheep in the places they should go, our Lord leads His sheep in “circuits” as well. The Lord isn’t leading us to pools of water, or pastures of green, He is leading us in “paths of righteousness”.

This identifies Him as “Jehovah-Tdiskenu”. This is the name “The Lord Our Righteousness”. This name appears in Jeremiah 23:6. This name reminds us that our Lord is a righteous Lord. There are two thoughts in view here.

This name not only tells us that He is righteous, it reminds us that He “leads us in paths of righteousness”. In other words, when we come to know Him, we are made righteous too.

Just as our sins were imputed to Jesus when He died on the cross, 2 Corinthians 5:21, His righteousness is imputed to us when we believe on Him by faith.

“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:23–25 KJV)

When we come to faith in Christ, we are declared righteous by the sovereign decree of God, and we stand justified in His sight.

When the Bible says that He leads us in “paths of righteous”, it simply means that we are brought into His “orbit”. He holds us close and keeps us in a place of right living.

We all fail Him. When we do, we will be chastened. Even in our times of sin and rebellion, we are still held in His “orbit”. When we move away from Him, He draws us back into a closer “orbit”. We are anchored in Him!

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil”, (Hebrews 6:19 KJV)

D. V. 4 HE SECURES HIS SHEEP - Verse 4 reminds us that sometimes the way taken by the sheep is filled with danger. There are wild animals that would devour the sheep. There are shadows that cause the sheep to be afraid.

In their danger, in their fear, in their valley, there is one constant, steadfast anchor they can look to to find hope. Regardless of where they go, or in spite of what they may face, they have the presence of their shepherd. He is there with his “staff” to guide them and with His “rod” to defend them.

This verse reveals our Shepherd as “Jehovah-Shammah”. This name means “The Lord Is There”. It first appears in Ezekiel 48:35. In that verse, Ezekiel tells us there will come a day when the city of Jerusalem will go by that name because the Lord will be there.

I want to remind you today that He is still “The Lord Who Is There”. He is our protection in every danger. He is our companion in every valley. He is these to defend us when the enemies of enemies of the Lord and His sheep come against us, 1 Peter 5:8. His promise to us is that He will always be there no matter where we go, or what we face, Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20.

Listen to what He promised us:

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:2 KJV)

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:” (Deuteronomy 33:27a KJV)

No matter where you go, “The Lord Is There”, and He will protect you from every danger you face.

F. V. 5a HE SHELTERS HIS SHEEP - The phrase “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies,” speaks about how the sheep are able to enjoy the provisions given to them by the shepherd, even when they are surrounded by threats that would destroy them. He spreads the table for them and they feast while he fights their battles.

This reminds us that our Shepherd is “Jehovah-Nissi”. This name means “The Lord Our Banner”. It was used in Exodus 17:15 when Joshua led the children of Israel into battle against the Amalekites. The God of Israel was the banner under which they marched to victory.

The Lord is our banner was well. He sets the table and allows us to enjoy His precious blessings while the world, and the devil rage against us. Our enemy would love nothing better than to take away our peace, our joy, our hope, and our blessings, but he can’t! The Lord sets His table and we feast on His grace and goodness, while He takes care of our enemies.

G. V. 5b HE SANCTIFIES HIS SHEEP - The shepherd takes care of his sheep, soothing heir wounds and comforting them whey hurt. He treats them as his special, an honored guests, as he ministers to their every need.

This verse identifies Him as “Jehovah-M’Kaddesh”. This name means “The Lord Our Sanctifier”. This name appears in Exodus 31:13, where the Lord identifies Himself as “the Lord that doth sanctify thee”.

It speaks of how the Shepherd of our souls sanctifies us and sets us apart by treating us far better than the world around us. He pours out His blessings on our lives in countless ways, proving that He loves us and that we are special to Him.

Because He loves us, He saves us. He blesses us. He gives us peace, joy, hope, and every spiritual blessings there is.

He anoints us for His service.

He sooths us when we hurt.

He comforts us when we are lonely.

He treats us like His honored guests.

What a Savior!

H. V. 5c-6 HE SATISFIES HIS SHEEP - This Psalm closes with the sheep longing for the day when he will be home with the shepherd forever. This last verse reveals our Lord to be “Jehovah-Elyon”, or “The Lord Most High”. Abraham calls Him this in Genesis 14:22.

This name reminds us that He is God on both ends of time. He is Lord here, and when this life ends, and we are home in glory, we will find that He is God there too. We worship Him here by faith. When we arrive there, we will see Him, and we will bow before Him in worship.

While we are here we worship Him for Who He is, and for what He has done for us. He has given us far more than we could ever deserve. He truly makes my cup to run over. Every step I take He supplies “mercy and grace” to live for Him and to enjoy what I have in Him. When this life is over, I will fly away home to a land of perfection, where I will worship Him perfect holiness, in a land free from cares, pain, death, Satan, or sin, Revelation 21:4.

That is our Shepherd. That is the Lord we love, and serve.

Conc: The Lord’s sheep have a wonderful Shepherd! Do you know Him? If you do worship Him. If you don’t come to Him today. Let Him save you and place you in His flock.